Emergency floatation apparatus for watercraft

ABSTRACT

Emergency floatation equipment for watercraft. The invention contemplates an inflatable, elongated float, which may be secured to the side of a watercraft and of sufficient size, when paired with a similar float secured to the opposite side of the watercraft, is capable of supporting the same. A unique attachment system is contemplated whereby the weight of the boat is substantially evenly distributed along the length of the inflatable float regardless of the weight distribution of the boat.

Dunson EMERGENCY FLOATATION APPARATUS FOR WATERCRAFT Inventor:

Filed:

Marcus H. Dunson, 151 12 S.

Halsted, Harvey, 111.760426 Oct. 27, 1971 App]. No.: 193,014

[52] US. Cl. 114/68, 9/3 [51] Int. Cl. B63c 9/02 [58] Field of Search 1.9/3, 1 R, 400; 114/122, 114/123, 121, 68

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.319.132 5/1943 Hood 1 .1114/123 1100.100 8/1963 Carpenter... 114/123 X 2,848,725 8/1958 Sloulin9/3 2.794.191 6/1957 Gaskouit2..... 114/123 X 2.919.451 1/1960 Long 1 19/3 X 3.115.860 12/1963 Payne 1. 114/123 X 3.121.888 2/1964 Morgan eta1. H; 9/3

1 Mar. 19, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 118.729 9/1918 GreatBritain 114/68 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant ExaminerDona1dW. Underwood Attorney, Agent, or FirmHofgren, Wegner, A11en, Stellman &McCord [57] ABSTRACT Emergency floatation equipment for watercraft. Theinvention contemplates an inflatable, elongated float, which may besecured to the side of a watercraft and of sufficient size, when pairedwith a similar float secured to the opposite side of the watercraft, iscapable of supporting the same. A unique attachment system iscontemplated whereby the weight of the boat is substantially evenlydistributed along the length of the inflatable float regardless of theweight distribution of the boat. 1

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures EMERGENCY FLOATATION APPARATUS FORWATERCRAFT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toinflatable floats for attachment to watercraft to support the samewithout capsizing in emergency situations.

Many types of watercraft have long employed built-in floatation systemsof one sort or another for the purpose of precluding the watercraft fromsinking and leaving its occupant in the water without a means ofsupport. Depending upon the type and size of the watercraft, theapproach taken may include the employment of closed cell plastic foamssecured to the watercraft at various locations or the provision ofsealed, aircontaining bulkheads at various locations on the watercraft.The use of foam floatation systems is generally superior to the use ofair-type bulkheads in that the latter, if punctured, provide nobuoyancy. But in either event, such floatation systems do not providestability to the watercraft when the same is inundated with the resultthat in high seas or waves, even though the water craft will remainafloat, it is easily overturned with the result that its occupant willbe spilled into the water. In such emergency situations, it may bedifficult, if not possible, for an occupant to swim back to thewatercraft after being spilled and even if such is accomplishedsuccessfully, if the watercraft cannot be righted, the occupant will beforced to hang on to the same rather than sit within it. Over aprolonged period of time, the occupant may become weak through exposure,lose hisgrip and drown.

Moreover, many of the larger types of vessels within even the generalsmall craft category do not employ floatation systems of any sort. Insuch watercraft, principal reliance is placed on bilge pumps inemergency situations but should there be a power failure so that suchpumpscannot be operated, the boat will eventually fill and sink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention toprovide a new and improved floatation system for watercraft. Morespecifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedemergency floatation system for watercraft that will support awatercraft, even when inundated, without substantial danger of capsizingeven under extremely adverse conditions.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objectby means of a construction employing an elongated, inflatable bladder orfloat, normally of a length to extend from the bow to the stern of thewatercraft to which it is attached. In the usual situation, two suchfloats are employed, one for securement to each side of the watercraft.

Along the length of the float are a plurality of secur ing elements forsecuring the float at spaced locations along its length to the side ofthe boat. The securing elements are attached to the float in such a wayas to detime a pressure distributing system which distributes the weightof the watercraft along the entire length of the float withoutparticular regard to the exact weight distribution of the watercraft.

According to the preferred embodiment, the attachment of the securingelements to the float is accomplished by surrounding the latter with anenvelope formed of a sheet of flexible material. The envelope has aplurality of apertures along its length at locations corresponding tothe locations of the securing elements and a cable, having its endsattached to respective end ones of the securing elements is interposedbetween the float and the envelope with loop-like projections emergingexteriorly of the envelope through the apertures. Each intermediatesecuring element is slidably attached to the cable loops andthe systemserves to dis tribute the weight of the boat substantially equally alongthe length of the float.

The invention also contemplates that the envelope have an adjustablecross section so that the same may be used with floats of differentsizes thereby permitting use of the system with different types ofwatercraft having different emergency buoyancy requirements.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a watercraft havingan emergency floatation system made according to the invention securedthereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an emergency tion device made accordingto the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 33 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the system employed in conjunction withwatercraft during an emergency situation; and

FIG. 5 illustrates one configuration of the system in a non-emergencysituation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A typical watercraft, generallydesignated 10, with which the invention may be used is somewhatdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a bow 12, a transoml4 defining the stern and opposed gunwales 16 defining the sides of thecraft ll0.

The transom 14, depending upon the type of craft, may be adapted tosupport an outboard motor, shown in dotted lines at 18.

Emergency floatation devices, generally designated 20, made according tothe invention are secured to the gunwales 16 as by eyelets 22 located atvarious points along the entire length of each gunwale. If an outboardmotor is to be employed on the craft, the floatation devices 20 mayextend beyond the transom 14 to be turned thereabout as shown in dottedlines at 24 to provide additional support for the stern of the boatposed by the disproportionate weight distribution caused by the presenceof an outboard motor 18.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the emergency floatation devices 20will be described. Each includes an elongated, inflatable bladder orfloat 26 formed of rubber or the like and including an inflating valve28, normally at one end thereof, for inflation purposes. The elongatedfloat 26 will have sufficient length to extend from substantially thebow of the craft to the stem and possibly partially around the transomwhen an outboard motor is to be employed.

The float 26 is closed by an envelope 30 formed of a sheet offlexiblematerial such as a fabric-like material. Preferably, the materialemployed for the envelope 30 will be plastic or synthetic to precluderotting of the same over a substantial period due to exposure to water.

In the preferred form of the invention, the envelope 30 is formed by aplanar sheet of the material wrapped about the float 26 and providedwith adjustable securing means for securing the long edges of the sheettogether. As illustrated in FIG. 3, one edge of the sheet defining theenvelope 30 is provided with a plurality of eyelets 32 (only one ofwhich is shown) along its length while the opposite long edge of thesheet is provided with corresponding eyelets 34 (again, only one ofwhich is shown).

At any desired location intermediate the eyelets 32 and 34, there may beprovided a corresponding set of eyelets 36 which in conjunction with theeyelets 34 serve to define the adjustable securing means.

More particularly, when the eyelets 32 and 34 are aligned as illustratedin FIG. 3, the long sides of the sheet may be secured together as by along stitched configuration of a suitable cord or cable passing throughthe eyelets 32 and 34 to define an envelope 30 having a maximum crosssection transverse to its length so that a relatively large diameterfloat 26 may be accommodated therein. On the other hand, if the eyelets36 are aligned with the eyelets 32, and secured together in the samemanner, the envelope 30 will have a lesser cross section transverse toits length for holding a lesser size float 26.

The purpose of the foregoing construction is as follows. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, emergency floatationrequirements of watercraft will vary depending upon the size of thewatercraft and the provision, if any, for internal floatation systems.Thus, a larger watercraft will require a greater size float 26 thanwould a smaller watercraft and by means of the foregoing construction, asingle size of envelope 30 can accommodate different size floats 26 asmay be required by the emergency buoyancy requirements of a particulartype of watercraft.

The floatation device 20 is secured to a watercraft by means of aplurality of securing means 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50, located along thelength of the device at 10- cations corresponding to the location of theeyelets 22 on the craft 10. Each of the securing means 40-50 maycomprise a conventional spring hook formed of a rigid hook member 52having its hook normally closed by a spring element 54. Conventionally,such an element will include an eyelet 56 secured by a conventionalswivel construction to the elements 52 and 54.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the envelope 30 is provided with aplurality of apertures 58 defined by metal eyelets along its length atlocations corresponding to the locations of the eyes 22 on the craft land the location of the securing means 40-50. While as illustrated,there is but a single aperture 58 at each location, it will be apparentthat each aperture 58, and particularly those intermediate the ends,could be formed of two separate apertures if desired.

The securing means 40-50 are secured to the assemblage of the float 26and envelope 30 by a cable 60. The cable 60 is principally locatedbetween the envelope 30 and the float 26 and has its ends threadedthrough the endmost ones of the apertures 58 to be fixedly secured tothe eyes 56 of the securing elements 40 and 50 respectively.Intermediate the ends of the cable 60, loop portions 62 thereof extendthrough the v apertures 58 and are threaded through the eyelets 56 ofthe intermediate ones of the securing means 42-48. Thus, the securingmeans 42-48 are slidably engaged by the cable 60.

The cable arrangement and the envelope 30 define a pressure distributingsystem whereby the weight of the watercraft is distributed substantiallyequally along the entire length of the float 26. For example, if thatportion of the watercraft at the point of attachment to the securingelement 50 is disproportionately heavy, it will be appreciated that suchweight will tend to draw a portion of the cable 60 out of the aperture58 associated with the securing element 50. This in turn will result ina shortening of the loop 62 associated with the securing element 48which will tend to draw up more heavily on the watercraft and therebyplace a greater load on the corresponding portion of the float 26.Furthermore, the provision of the envelope 30 tends to distribute theweight more evenly along the length of the float 26. In particular, thatportion of the cable 60 within the envelope 30 and the envelope itselftend to preclude bulging of the portions of the float 26 intermediatethe securing elements which would result in such portions bearing alesser load than the portions thereof immediately adjacent the securingelements.

The ends of the envelope 30 may be defined by a plurality of inwardlydirected flaps 64 formed of the same material as the envelope 30 andeach having an eyelet 66 near its innermost end. Through the eyelets, asuitable securing means, such as a cord 68 may extend and thearrangement is such that the inflation valve 28 may projecttherethrough. This construction provides ease of access while furtherproviding positive capture of the float 26 within the envelope 30.

Turning now to FIG. 4, location of the system on a watercraft 10 will beseen to provide a broad base of floatation support for the craft l0externally of its confines. Thus, all forces tending to capsize thecraft 10 are located wholly within the base of support provided incontrast to foam or bulkhead support systems conventionally used whereinthe base of support is generally no more than a line extending down thekeel of the craft. Accordingly, with the present invention, an occupantof an inundated craft could actually place all of his weight on one ofthe gunwales 16 without capsizing the craft, an impossibility withcurrent available floatation systems. And, of course, such a base ofsupport will be provided even for craft not having floatation systemsbut relying on bilge pumps or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates somewhat schematically a craft with the floatationdevices of the invention being provided with additional securingelements indicated schematically at 70 attached in any suitable way toeyes 72 on the upper sides of the gunwales 16. Such a provision may bemade if the invention is to be permanently disposed in an inflatedcondition on the craft so that it will not provide a drag against motionof the craft by reason of the same being held well above the waterlinethereof.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to floatationapparatus permanently secured at all times to the exterior of awatercraft. For rather large watercraft, it may be possible to suitablystow the emergency floatation apparatus until the possibility of theneed exists at which time it may be secured in place and inflated as bya pressurized gas bottle maintained for that purpose.

Similarly, the invention is not restricted to the exterior location ofthe emergency floatation device in an inflated condition. For example,the same could be held substantially in the position illustrated in FIG.5 while deflated and then inflated when the need arises, again by abottle of gas under pressure maintained for that purpose. The inventionalso contemplates that the apparatus could be stored in a deflatedcondition exteriorly of the craft but attached thereto within a suitablehousing for that purpose and inflated only when required. For example,such housing structures could consist of movably mounted splash railswhich would open to permit full inflation of the floatation devices bybottled gas or the like when the need arises.

I claim:

1. Emergency flotation equipment for watercraft comprising: anelongated, flexible, tubular member adapted to receive and retain asufficient volume of air to at least partially support, by buoyancy, theweight of a watercraft; a plurality of means located along the length ofsaid tubular member for securing the same to the side of a watercraft;and means for interconnecting each of said securing means and saidtubular member to distribute the weight of the watercraft substantiallyalong the entire length of the tubular member to thereby support thewatercraft, said interconnecting means including an elongated cablehaving its ends secured to respective endmost ones of said securingmeans and intermediate portions slidably secured to intermediate ones ofsaid securing means.

2. Emergency floatation equipment according to claim 1 wherein saidinterconnecting means further including an envelope formed of flexiblesheet-like mate rial surrounding and enclosing said tubular member.

3. The emergency floatation equipment according to claim 2 wherein saidenvelope is provided with means for adjusting the size of its crosssection in a direction transverse to its length whereby a singleenvelope can be employed with tubular members of different crosssections, and thus varied supporting characteristics, to suit thebuoyancy requirements posed by varying types of watercraft.

4. The emergency floatation equipment according to claim 1 furtherincluding additional securing means adapted to be secured to the side ofa watercraft for normally holding said emergency floatation device abovethe water line thereof.

5. A pair of emergency floatation devices according to claim 1 incombination with a watercraft having a transom adapted to receive anoutboard motor, one of said devices being secured by said securingmeans, to each side of said watercraft, each of said devices having alength sufficient to extend substantially from the bow of the watercraftalong the length of the watercraft and partially about said transom toprovide additional buoyancy in the region of any outboard motor mountedon said transom.

6. Emergency floatation equipment for watercraft comprising: anelongated, tubular bladder; gas valve means on said bladder forpermitting said bladder to be inflated by a source of gas under pressureand for normally retaining gas within said bladder; an elongated,tubular envelope formed of a sheet-like material snugly surrounding saidbladder; means defining a plurality of apertures in said envelope atspaced points along the length thereof; a plurality of securing meanslocated along the length of said envelope and exteriorly thereof, saidsecuring means being adapted to be connected to the side of awatercraft; and an elongated cable having its ends secured to respectiveendmost ones of said securing means, said cable being threaded throughsaid apertures so as to define loops exterior of said envelope at saidpoints along the length of said envelope, intermediate ones of saidsecuring means having portions slidably received in said loops; wherebysaid envelope and said cable distribute the weight of a watercraft towhich said device may be attached along substantially the entire lengthof said tubular bladder to maintain the watercraft in a substantiallyhorizontal attitude during an emergency situation.

7. An emergency floatation device of claim 6 wherein said envelope isformed from a sheet; and further including means for securing the longends of said sheet together to define said tubular envelope, saidsecuring means being adjustable whereby said tubular envelope canaccommodate tubular bladders of different cross sections as may berequired by the buoyancy require ments of different watercraft.

8. The emergency floatation device of claim 6 wherein the ends of saidtubular envelope are defined by a plurality of inwardly directed flaps;and means securing said flaps together to capture said bladder withinsaid envelope.

1. Emergency flotation equipment for watercraft comprising: anelongated, flexible, tubular member adapted to receive and retain asufficient volume of air to at least partially support, by buoyancy, theweight of a watercraft; a plurality of means located along the length ofsaid tubular member for securing the same to the side of a watercraft;and means for interconnecting each of said securing means and saidtubular member to distribute the weight of the watercraft substantiallyalong the entire length of the tubular member to thereby support thewatercraft, said interconnecting means including an elongated cablehaving its ends secured to respective endmost ones of said securingmeans and intermediate portions slidably secured to intermediate ones ofSaid securing means.
 2. Emergency floatation equipment according toclaim 1 wherein said interconnecting means further including an envelopeformed of flexible sheet-like material surrounding and enclosing saidtubular member.
 3. The emergency floatation equipment according to claim2 wherein said envelope is provided with means for adjusting the size ofits cross section in a direction transverse to its length whereby asingle envelope can be employed with tubular members of different crosssections, and thus varied supporting characteristics, to suit thebuoyancy requirements posed by varying types of watercraft.
 4. Theemergency floatation equipment according to claim 1 further includingadditional securing means adapted to be secured to the side of awatercraft for normally holding said emergency floatation device abovethe water line thereof.
 5. A pair of emergency floatation devicesaccording to claim 1 in combination with a watercraft having a transomadapted to receive an outboard motor, one of said devices being securedby said securing means, to each side of said watercraft, each of saiddevices having a length sufficient to extend substantially from the bowof the watercraft along the length of the watercraft and partially aboutsaid transom to provide additional buoyancy in the region of anyoutboard motor mounted on said transom.
 6. Emergency floatationequipment for watercraft comprising: an elongated, tubular bladder; gasvalve means on said bladder for permitting said bladder to be inflatedby a source of gas under pressure and for normally retaining gas withinsaid bladder; an elongated, tubular envelope formed of a sheet-likematerial snugly surrounding said bladder; means defining a plurality ofapertures in said envelope at spaced points along the length thereof; aplurality of securing means located along the length of said envelopeand exteriorly thereof, said securing means being adapted to beconnected to the side of a watercraft; and an elongated cable having itsends secured to respective endmost ones of said securing means, saidcable being threaded through said apertures so as to define loopsexterior of said envelope at said points along the length of saidenvelope, intermediate ones of said securing means having portionsslidably received in said loops; whereby said envelope and said cabledistribute the weight of a watercraft to which said device may beattached along substantially the entire length of said tubular bladderto maintain the watercraft in a substantially horizontal attitude duringan emergency situation.
 7. An emergency floatation device of claim 6wherein said envelope is formed from a sheet; and further includingmeans for securing the long ends of said sheet together to define saidtubular envelope, said securing means being adjustable whereby saidtubular envelope can accommodate tubular bladders of different crosssections as may be required by the buoyancy requirements of differentwatercraft.
 8. The emergency floatation device of claim 6 wherein theends of said tubular envelope are defined by a plurality of inwardlydirected flaps; and means securing said flaps together to capture saidbladder within said envelope.